Bartlett accepts bids, says farewell to personnel director

At the May 24 Bartlett city board meeting, the mayor and alderman said goodbye to a veteran employee, held a public hearing on a city judge’s salary and approved multiple bids for work at the Bartlett Soccer Park, Fletcher Creek near Appling Road, renovation at the animal shelter, and other locations.

Farewell to Peter Voss

Peter Voss, city personnel director, is leaving Bartlett after 33 years of service to finish his career in middle Tennessee.

“He’s done everything from meter reading to personnel manager, and most everything in between, and he’s one of those I could always count on for ‘other duties as assigned,’” Mayor Keith McDonald said.

Voss, visibly touched and with his voice a little wobbly as he spoke to the mayor and city board, thanked them for their trust and for allowing him to be a part of the city. He also thanked his staff for all of their work.

“The department is in good hands, and it’s been a great life,” Voss said. “There’s still more work to be done. So be good, and God bless,” Voss said.

Ted Archdeacon was appointed and sworn in as director of personnel to fill Voss’s position.

Public hearing

There were no public comments at the public hearing for an ordinance to set the salary of the city’s Division II judge to meet the state standard. The ordinance covers the eight-year period beginning Sept. 1, 2016. Ordinance 16-03 passed on third and final reading. It requires an election in August 2016 and an annual salary of $62,000 the first year and $64,000 for each of the remaining seven years.

Other ordinances

The board also had second readings for ordinances to adopt the city’s 2016-17 fund budgets and to leave the ad valorem tax rates unchanged for real and personal property. Both ordinances will have public hearings on June 16.

Other business

In other business, the board:

Accepted the lowest bid for expanding and renovating the restroom at Bartlett Soccer Park. The bid was from Terry Bell Construction LLC for $236,817 plus a contingency amount of $12,000 for a total cost of $248,817. The board also awarded the construction management for the Bartlett Soccer Park restroom renovations to Ross Witt PLLC for $4,350.

Accepted the lowest bid to stabilize Fletcher Creek near Appling Road. The bid was from Pro-Site Construction at a cost of $229,783.20, plus Alternate 1 for $157,180 and a contingency amount of $38,696, for a total cost of $425,659.20. The board also awarded contract administration to Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon for $30,000. The total cost of this project will be $455,659.20, and it will be 100 percent federally funded.

Accepted the lowest and best bid for the city’s animal shelter kennel renovation. The bid was from Terry Bell Construction LLC for $87,754.40 plus a contingency amount of $15,000, for a total cost of $102,754.40.

Passed a resolution to accept a $3,750 Tennessee Municipal League Pool Property Conservation matching grant for equipment purchase and to amend the grants budget accordingly.

Authorized paying $10,000 seed money to the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis to establish the Bartlett Parks Foundation Fund. This will allow the park board to collect money and accept donations for projects such as a pavilion at W.J. Freeman Park (the first project).

Accepted the lowest bid for interior painting and exterior window sealing at the city jail. The bid was from A&B Construction at a cost of $31,525.70.

Accepted the lower bid for a front desk glass enclosure for city court. The bid was from Terry Bell Construction LLC at a total cost of $12,477.

Approved the site plan, grading and erosion control contract for the Shell Station at 5994 Stage Road. The developer, Marketplace Development LLC, will pay $5,677.44 in city fees. The bond is set at $47,832.

Approved the site plan, grading and erosion control contract for the Christian Life Tabernacle. The developer, Christian Life Tabernacle, will pay $55,351.29 in city fees. The bond is set at $399.369.

Announced that the first business meeting of the city board in June has been moved to June 16 at 7 p.m.